Corvette Grand Sport Returns For 2010In May, Chevrolet announced that the Grand Sport model designation-absent since 1996-will return to the Corvette lineup for the 2010 model year. Combining the Vette's standard LS3-based powertrain with unique, wide-body styling and a race-bred suspension, the Grand Sport is intended to split the difference between the base car and the Z06. It's offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
As the replacement for the current Z51 Performance Package, the new Grand Sport will come with wider wheels and tires; revised shock, stabilizer bar, and spring specifications; and specific gearing. Manual coupes will also receive a dry-sump oiling system and other track-oriented upgrades. This equipment is said to enable cornering capability of 1.0 g, as well as a 0.2-second improvement in 0-60 acceleration versus standard LS3-powered models.
For all the details on the new Grand Sport-along with our exclusive first driving impressions-see our story elsewhere in this issue.
Sema Annouces Inaugural Car Show
Scores of Corvettes and other performance machines are expected to cruise into the newly remodeled Pasadena (California) Convention Center on Saturday, August 1, for the inaugural SEMA Cares Car Show. In all, more than 200 vehicles representing every facet of the car culture-from hot rods and muscle cars to exotics and sport compacts-will come together to help children in need.
"We hope this show will become the showcase event of the summer and grow each year so that we can raise more money for two deserving children's charities," said Mike Spagnola, chairman of the SEMA Cruisin' Old Town car show and president of Street Scene Equipment.
Tickets are $5 each for adults (children 10 and under can attend for free), or $75 to enter a vehicle. Money raised will benefit Childhelp and the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
For more information or to register your car, visit www.sema.org/carshow.
Corvette Club Of Delaware Valley Wins Golden Rule Award
For the past 16 years, Eagle One's Golden Rule Awards have confirmed that there's more to car clubs than cars. The driving force for most clubs is a desire to provide support for community programs and charitable causes.
The Corvette Club of Delaware Valley, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was awarded the Golden Rule Award for conducting the most-outstanding community service program in the Eastern Region during 2008. The 588-member club received a cash donation of $500 for its favorite charity.
All clubs entered in the contest received a custom-designed trophy, along with generous supplies of Eagle One car-care products and Valvoline motor oil for fund-raising purposes. Visit www.eagleone.com for more information.
Teeters Unveils Pace-Car Prints
VETTE columnist K. Scott Teeters is offering something new for Corvette fans of all ages. Teeters' "Corvette Pace Cars" print features 11 full-color illustrations of Corvette pace cars, from the first black-and-silver '78 model to the stunning '08 Gold Rush Green E85 Z06. Each of the 11 renderings is also available as an individual 11x17 print, as shown in the image at right.
Each print is made on Summerset Watercolor Paper, measures 11x17 inches, and is signed and numbered by the artist in a series of 500. The price is just $99.95, plus $4.95 for shipping and handling. The prints have been sized so that they fit perfectly into a standard 16x20 mat (with a 131/2x101/2) opening, making framing easy.
To order, go to www.IllustratedCorvetteSeries.com and click on the "Corvette Pace Cars" link, or call (800) 858-6670.
'09 ZR1 Registry Now Online
Corvette Action Center has unveiled its ZR1 Registry, which tracks the history and location of every C6 ZR1 built. This interactive registry allows visitors to view build statistics, search databases, or even add their own ZR1 information. Check it out at www.corvetteactioncenter.com.